Developing Deep Roots

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” (Jer 17:7-8)

Most of Oklahoma, but especially the area in southwestern Oklahoma where I grew up, is experiencing extreme drought right now. Less than a year ago, we had one of the wettest summers on record. It rained so much that I couldn’t keep up with the yard work. When it finally stopped raining long enough for me to mow, the thick grass was so tall and wet from the rain that it was hard to get the mower through it. Continue reading “Developing Deep Roots”

Changing Our Shells

Cricket the Hermit Crab
Photo courtesy of Casey Witvoet

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Cor 5:17)

Have you ever watched a hermit crab change shells? My best friend, Casey, raises hermit crabs, and has described the elaborate process to me. Hermit crabs will approach a new shell, spin it around, and examine it to make sure it doesn’t have any holes in it. Then, they stick their heads and legs inside to examine the interior and see if it’s smooth. If they like it, they will climb out of their old shell and into the new one. If it doesn’t fit quite right, they will come out of it and put their old shell back on. Continue reading “Changing Our Shells”